Machine for slashing soles of boots and shoes.



W. O. STEWART. MACHINE FOR SLASHING SOLES 0F BOOTS AND SHOES.

W. G. STEWART. MACHINE FOR 8L ASHING SOLES 0F BOOTS AND SHOES.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Z W we wmd%' W. G. STEWART.

MAGHINB FOR SLASHING SOLES 0F BOOTS AND SHOES.

Patented May 17, 1910.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16, 1908.

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W. 0. STEWART. I MACHINE FOR SLASHIN G SOLES 0F BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.16, 19013. Patented May 17,

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STATES PATENT WILLIAM C. STEWART, F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 THOMAS PLANT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1'7, 1910.

Application filed November 16, 1908. Serial No. 462,786.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM C. STEWART,

asubject of the KingofGreat Britain, re-- siding at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Slashing Soles of Boots and Shoes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing -liks parts.

This invent-ion relates to machines for slashing 1IlSOlS used 111 the manufacture of boots and shoes, and whlle the lnvention may be employed forslashing any kind of in-- soles, it has peculiar advantages in slashing lnsoles for use 1n the manufacture of welted boots and shoes.

The aims and characteristic features of the present lnventlon Wlll be clearly understood from the following description and accompanying drawings of one form or embodiment of means for carrying the invention into effect, it being understood that the invention is not circumscribed by the details of such means, but in its true scope is definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure'l is a front elevation of a machine embracing the present invention,'so1ne of the'parts being broken away; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. '8 is a sectional detail on line 3-3 of F ig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional detail showing the cutter and its action as it en is a de 'tached detail view of the work feelers and ters and slashes the insole; Fig. 0

their locking means; Fig. 6 isa side view of the machine-head looking from the left in Fig. 1, showing the driving shaft and its clutch connection with its driving means in cross section; Fig. 7 is a side view of the i machine-head looking from the right in Fig.

1, some of the parts being shown. in section or. broken away to'disclose the construction of parts beyond; Fig. 8 is a detached detail showing parts of the slash counter and stopping means; Fig. 9 is an enlarged-sectional view on the line 9 9, Fig. 2, looking from the rear of the machine and showing more particularly themeans for movingthe slashing cutter and feelers transversely of the sole, and the locking means for the feelers when one of them meets the'sole; and Figs 10 is a diagrammatic View showing a slashnel lip during the cutting action.

In the form of machine illustrated, the head frame for supporting the main portions of the machine is formed of vertical side pieces 1 suitably braced transversely, as by tie-pieces 2, Fig. 2, and surmounting a pedestal or base-piece 3 to which it may be connected by suitable means, as the screw bolts 4.

Mounted in suitable bearings 5, 5 of the side pieces 2, 2 is the main driving shaft 6, Figs. 1 and 6, having a driving pulley 7 loose thereon and adapted to be connected at will with and to rotate said shaft through the medium of any suitable or desired clutch mechanism, such, for instance, as

ing cutter and its relation to the insole chanshown and described in a prior patent' and operation are well understood and fully set forth in said prior patent, it is not necessary to give a detail description andillustration herein, attention being merely directed to the sectional part illustration-of said clutch mechanism shown by Fig. 6, wherein the cage 8, for controlling the rollers 9 which are movable along the inclined faces 11 of the hub 12 fast to the shaft 6, is provided with a. radially BX-' tended ear 10 by which to control the engagement and disengagement of-th-e clutch, all substantially as fully pointed out in said prior patent, the construction being, such that when the ear l0 is held by a suitable catch, to be described, it willrestrain. rotative movement of the cage and disengage the clutch and shaft 6 from driving connection, but when the ear 10 is freedfrom said catch the cage will be moved by its usual spring, as set forth in. said prior patent and driving connection between the shaft and clutch be established, as will be readily head frame 1.

movementin the cross-head 17 is the knife carrier 18, said carrier being preferably pro-' vided with a guiding and supporting bar 19, Figs. 2 and 9, fitted in suitable slide hearings in the cross-head 17, and extending into vertical slots 20 in side pieces 1, the construction being such that as the crosshead '17 is vertically reciprocated by its eccentric connection with the driving shaft 6, the knlfe carr1er18 may be moved trans justed in its carrier, an adjusting screw 24 is threaded into the carrier above the knife and 1ts head 25 bears upon the top of the knife, as in Figs. 1 and 2.

As pointed out in the patent hereinbefore mentioned the knife blade is of a width notgreater than the shortest cut demanded by the width of any insole to be slashed, such shortest out being usually demanded at or near the toe, though this may not always be the case.- At different parts-of the sole the width. of the sole demands greater length of slashes, to secure which the invention contemplates making a plurality of and preferably two cuts with the knife for each feed movement of the sole, the first out being madenear one edge of the sole and the next nearer the opposite edge of the sole in prolongation of the first cut, the two cuts forming a continuous slash ext-ending transversely of the sole. It is evident, therefore, that for every feed movement of the sole, there must be a plurality of cutting .movements of the knife, and that between any two successive cutting movements of the knife, the latter must be moved transversely of the sole. It is also apparent that in treatmg a sole havin 50 a channel lip, the transverse positions 0 the knife must be such as to slash the sole between the channel lips at each edge thereof but not out said lips. The characteristics of the invention'in these respects will be clear from the following descriptionof one form of means that may be employed to these ends.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 9, the knife carrier 18 has securedv thereto by a screw 26, or

. endwise movement in the side otherwise, a guideway 27 in which slides a block 28 carried by one end portion of an.

operating lever 29 pivotally mounted at 30 to a sliding feeler block 31, said block being secured to a supporting slide 32 mounted for ieces 1, 1

of the head frame. The sliding eeler block Mounted for transverse 31 has upwardly projecting cars 33 between which a pin 34, secured to the operating lever 29, travels. From the construction thus far described it will be apparent that. if the fulcrum point 30 of the lever 29 be held stationary, the knife carrier and knife will he moved transversely of the cross-head 17. It will also be evident that if the slid-- ing feeler block 31 carrying the fulcrum Ill) .be permitted to move more or less and then be stopped, the position of the knife 22 will correspondingly vary in its transverse relation with the crosshead or sole.

Pivotally mounted at 35 on the sliding feeler block 3] are the feelers 3t 3t) yieldingly maintained in central position on their pivotal connection 35 with the feeler block by means of centering devices of suitable character, those indicated, in Fig. 5, being composed of spring controlled pins 37, the head 38 of which are adapted to bea r upon shoulders 39 carried by the feelers 3!; at each side of the pivotal connection 35 with the feeler block. The lower end portion of each of the feeler arms 36 is provided with a tooth 40 adapted to engage the teeth of a rack bar 41 secured to the work rest 42, Figs. 2 and 5, whereby when either of said feelers 36 is depressed into engagement with the teeth of the rack bar, further sliding movement of the feeler-block 31 will be stopped and any further actuation of the lever 29 will be transmitted to the knife carrier.

The end of the operating lever 29 opposite the slide block 28 is connected by a link 43 to an arm M pivoted at 4-5, Fig. 9, to the head frame, said arm 44 having connected therewith and movable about its axis 15 a segment gear 46, Figs. 7 and 9. .Operatively connected with the segment gear 46 is a similar segment gear 47, mounted at 48 on the head frame, Fig. 7, said segment gear 47 being operatively connected with an arm 49 jointed at 50 to a rod 51 contained within an actuating arm 52. At its upper end the actuating arm 52 is provided with an eccentric strap 53 which surrounds an eccentric '54-. secured to a counter shaft 55, which by means of pinlons 56 and 57 is in operative relation with the main driving shaft; 6, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, the construction being such that upon rotation of the driving shaft 6, motion will be imparted to the counter-.shaft.55 and through the cocentric 54 the actuating arm 52 will be given a vertical reciprocating motion, said motion being imparted through the described devices to the operating lever 29.

The rod 51' is p1 ovided with an enlarged guiding head 58 near its end and a similar enlargment 59 near its opposite end, between which enlargements is disposed a spiral spring 60, the ends of which bear upon suitable loosc collars G1, G1 restii'ig on seats carried by the arm 52. as indicated by Fig. 7,

I the construction being such that upon vertical reciprocation of the actuating arm 52, the motion imparted to the operating lever 29 will be a yielding one, so that should the parts connected to the operating lever 29 restrain movement of said lever upon its fulcrum 30' at any time, the spring 60 will ,9, and'the main shaft be given rotative movement, it will, through the described connections, tend to move the operating lever 29 and slide the feeler-block 31 in one direction, or the knife carrier in the opposite direction, or both of these movements may take place until one of the feelers 36 contacts with the edge of the sole, whereupon the opposite feeler arm, see Fig. 9, will be thrown with its tooth 40 into engagement with the rack 41, and the feeler block will then be locked from further transverse movement, such locking of the feeler-bloc'k being of a positive nature, as will be understood, with-- out imparting to the edge of the sole being treated any undue strain. The feelerblock being thus stopped from further movement, the knife carrier will continue its movement until the pin- 34 carried by the operating lever 29 engages one orthe other projecting cars 33, whereuponfurther transverse movementof. the knife carrier will cease, and, if at this time the actuating arm 52 has not completed its stroke, the spring 60 therein.

I will yield, thereby permitting the feelerblock and knife carrier to remainin the position determined for them by the feeler. 36 contacting withthe edge of the sole. -The cross-head 17 will then descend and the knife 22 will be caused to cut a slash intothe surface of the sole, whereupon the crosshead will ascend and transverse movements in the opposite direction he imparted to the feeler-block and knife carrier, to position the knife for the next or succeeding cut.'

In order that the slashes or cuts produced shall properly extend diagoi'lally into the sole from one surface thereof and that they ma be made under the most favorable con-' ditions of the work, the latter is preferably deflected or bent lengthwise at the slashing or' cutting point, as lndicated in Fig. and

is fedprogressively forward. as will now be explained. a

As before stated, the work rest 42 ext-ends transversely of the machine and is preferably provided with a roughened surface upon which the sole'to be treated may rest.

Pivotally connected to the head frameat 62 is the swinging feed roller frame 63 carrying a feed roller 64 provided with a'suitable roughened surface and a work clamping 'lifte place. The means for accomplishingthis frame .65 pivoted to the feed roller frame 63 at 66 and having an arm 67 a ainst which one end of a spring 68 bears, t e other end of said spring being supported by a seat- 69 adjustably held in place by a set screw 70,

whereby upon manipulation of the screw 70,

the tension of the sprin 68 may be varied. Carried on the arm 71 o. the work-clamping frame 65 is the work-clamping roller 72 which, when forced toward the feed=roller 6i by the spring 68, insures the proper feed movement of the sole S in accordance with the dictates of the feed roller movements, as will behereinafter more fully described.

In order to hold the feed rollerframe 63 in the positionindicated, Figs. 1 and'2, the upwardly extending arms thereof are pro vided with thumb-screws 73 which engage suitable screw thread sockets in the head frame, as will be clearly understood, see Figs." 1, 2, 6 and 7.

,It will be clear from the construction of the feedroller frame that it may be readily turned from its operative position indicated in the drawings so that the knife and other portions-of the mechanism may be convenie'ntly. reached.

Secured to the pedestal 3 by a screw 74 is a stationary stop and guide 7 5 against which the'toe end of the sole S contacts when it is placed in. the machine for treatment, Fig. 2.

Mounted on suitable pins 7 6 rejecting from the side pieces of the head rame is a work deflecting or bending frame 77 carrying a work engaging roller-7 8 and having at its opposite end a pin 79 embraced by the bifurcated end 80 of one arm of the bell -crank lever 81 'pivoted to the pedestal 3 at 82 and normally maintained in position to hold the work engaging-roller 7 8 away from; the workby a spring 83, Fig. 2, .saidspring being connected at, one end to the pedestal .and at its opgpsite end to a finger 84 projecting from t e bell crank 81. The arm 85 of the bell crank 81 is connected by a rod 86 I to a suitable treadle 87, Figs. 1 and 2, where-- by upon depression of the treadle the bell crank 81w1ll turn the work deflecting or bendin frame 77 and cause its work engag- ,ing ro er 78 to engage the shoe sole and bend the same about the work support 42,.

as indicated in'Fig. 2.

Fromthe construction described with respect to the work clamping frame. it will be apparent that the tendency of the spring 68 is to normally maintain the 'work clamping roller 72 in its position nearest the feed rol-l 64, but if in this position when it is desired to insert a shoe sole, difficulty would arise, and the present invention therefore aims to provide'means so that when the machine is stopged, the work clamping roller 7 2 will be so that the work may be easily put in resultn: the present form of the invention com rises a slide 88, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, mounted or vertical movement upon the head frame 1. The slide 88 carries at its lower portion a cam or inclined abutment 89,

- chine and to this end'tlgere. is mounted within the slide 88, see Fig. 3, acatch 91 pivoted at 92 to the slide and having its end 93 adapted to engage a projection or stud 94 secured to the cross-head 17, the opposite end 96 of the catch 91 being acted upon by a spring 95 to normally maintain the parts in position, as indicated in Fig. 3, so that should the cross-head 17 be raised with the parts in the position indicated, it will be evident that the catch 91.. by its engagement with the stud 94 will lift the slide 88 and cause the cam 89 to swing the work clamping frame upon its pivotal support 66.. During the normal operation of the machine, how

ever, the'end 96 of the catch 91 is engaged by an arm 97, Figs. -1, 2 and 3, of a controlling lever 98, Fig. 6, pivoted to the head fr'a-m'e 211199 and having a pin 100 projecting fromits lower end to engage a slot 101 in the work deflecting or bending frame 77, Figs. 2 and 6. From this construction it will be apparent that when .the treadle 81 is'depressed and the machine is started, as will be hereinafter described, the controlling lever 98, Fig. 6, will be swung upon its pivot or fulcrum 99, so that its arm 97 will press upon the end 96 of the catch 91 and remove the end 93 of said catch from engagement with the stud or projection 94, and this position of the parts will be maintained during the operation of the machine, as will later appear, so that reciprocation'of the' crosshead 17 does not effect upward movement of the slide 88 during normal operative conditions, the parts at such time being as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. To insuredownward movement of the slide 88, it is provided with a pin 102 which projects beneath the stud 94 on the cross-head.

' The controlling lever 98, Fig. 6, carries at its lower end a catch 103, the notched end 104 of which is, adapted to engage a stop 105 projecting from the head frame, a spring 106 normally tending to lift the catch 103 into such engagement. it will be apparent that'upon depression of the treadle and the movement of the controlling lever, as described, the catch 103 will engage the stud 105 and maintain the controlling lever in the position to which it has been moved. At its upper portion the From this controlling lever carries a toe 107, which may be substantially as set forth in my prior patent, said toe 107 being held in place by a spring 108 interposed between it and the end of its supporting rod 109. The toe 107 is adapted to engage and disengage the ear jection 105, the part 107 will be thrown outward free from the car 10, and when the catch 103 is tripped from its projection 105, the spring 83, Fig. 2, acting on the bell crank 81, will throw the controlling lever 98 on its pivot 99 and cause the toe 107 to e11- gage the ear 10 and stop the machine.

Shoe soles differ in size, style and quality of material, and it is desirable that the number ofslashes made in a shoe sole may be varied and that notwithstanding such variation the machine may be automatically brought to rest when the desired number of slashes are made. To this end, means are herein provided to determine the number of slashes made in a shoe sole and to stop the machine when the desired number has been made.

Mounted to move vertically in suitable bearings 110 in the head frame is a stop rod 111, Figs. 6 and 8, the lower end of which is adapted to meet and disengage-the catch 103 from its stop 105, said stop rodbeing normally held in raised position by a light spring 112, the upper end of which bears upon a projection on the stop rod and the lower end of which rests upon the lower bearing 110.

Mounted in suitable-bearings 113, Fig. 6, is a shaft 114 carrying a worm wheel 115 at one end, adapted to be engaged by a broken worm 116, Figs. 6' and 8 on the countershaft 55. Extending axially of the shaft 114 is a stem 117 carrying at its end adjacent the worm wheel 115 a finger 118, said finger having a pin adapted to engage one. of a series of holes 11.9 in the face of the said worm wheel, whereby the toe 118 is made to rotate with and partake ofthe movements of the worm wheel 115. The outer end of the stem 117 is provided with a hand piece 120 whereby it may be moved to the left, Fig. 6, against the tension of a spring 121 surrounding said stem and interposed between a fixed part of the head frame and a disk 122 having an index there on. From this construction it will be4apparent that the toe 118 may be adjusted to cause more or less rotation of the worm Wheel 115- to its initial position with the pin 124, Fig. 8 bearing'a'gainst the stop rod 111. 'Pivoted .to a depending bracket 125 secured to the machine head is a pawl 126, its end l27 bein normally depressed by a spring 128 totirow the toothed end 126 of the pawl into engagement with the worm wheel 115, said pawl thereby actingto restrain-re turn movement of the worm wheel-ll5isto initial position when the broken portion of the worm 116 meets the teeth of the worm wheel. Secured to the pawl 126 isf'a' pin 129 which when the machine is inoperative condition is disposed opposite a. recess 130,

' of machine operations and Fig. 8, in the stop. rod 111.

From the constructiondescribed, it will beapparent that proper adjustment of the toe 118 with respect to the worm wheel 115 may be made to. secure any desired number consequent slashes given to a sole, and that after the desired nimber of slashes has been made, the toe 118 will contact with the upper end of the stop rod 111, depress the same,and causeits lower end to trip the catch 103 from the stop 105, thereby permitting the controlling lever 98 to swing under the influence of the spring 83, Fig. 2, and carry its toe 107 into position for engagement with the ear 10 as it completes its rotation, and relieve its arm .97 from contact with the end 96 of the catch 91, the upward movement of the'crosshead 117 at such times thereby lifting the slide 88 and turning the work clamping frame to carry the clamping roller 72 from its bearing upon the work. When the broken worm 116 reaches aposition to free the'teeth of the worm wheel 115, the spring 123 will return the worm wheel 115- to its original position with the pin 124 bearing against the stop rod, Fig. 8. The feeding .roll actuatin such that when the roll has een moved one i step to advance the sole, itis locked against further movement in either direction to in-- sure a proper hold of the sole during slashing, and is likewise characterized by an advance or feeding step after completion of each transverse slash, such completion in the present form of the invention demanding two reciprocat-ions of the cutter or knife.

This mechanism best shown" by Fig. 7 wherein the end'of the feed roll-64 is shown provided with a ratchet wheel 130, the teeth of which are adapted to be engagedby the stepped end 131 of an actuator 132,Zt-he upper end of which is bifurcatedat 133 to.

embrace and be guided by the counter-shaft 55-. The actuator 132 is provided with a roll 134: engaging a cam groove 135 preferably formed on. the face of the gear 56 se-. cured to the counter shaft 55, although it might be otherwise actuated.

The end 131 of the actuator passes through a guide formed by the walls 136336.137,

a spring pressed plunger 138 normally actingto press the end 131 into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet, and, as the actuator moves downward and turns the feed roll, to yield sufficiently to allow the side wall 139 to rest a 'ainst the wall 137,

thereby locking the roll from further for- Ward or backwardmovement, the corner 1 LO'at such time resting between two teeth of the ratchet130.

To prevent backward rotation of the feed roll (E ias the actuator moves up for a new tooth, a frictionpiece 141, Fig. 6, is caused to bear against the end of the feed roll by a screw 'l42. I I v To insure proper action of the knife upon the material of the sole, it isdesirable that the sole be bent or deflected longitudinally at the slashing line and that the knife shall enter obliquely into the, sole andnot entirely penetrate 1t. To meet these objects the prese ent invention contemplates means cooperating with the knife to insure the longitudinal bend of .thesole alon the slashing line and also to prevent comp ete penetration ofj the knife toward the opposite surface ofthe sole. Figs. 2 and f of the drawing show one means illustrative of-this feature of the invention comprising a plate 143, secured, as indicated in Fig.2, to the knife carrier and, movable thereby. This feature of the invention may be variously carried into effect, and for identification the means employed maybe designated a slash director, because by 1nclinlng the work surface where the knife enters, the oblique direction of the slashes is insured. The plate'1 13 may extend more or'less across the face of the knife 22 and at its lower portion may preferably be formed or'curved, as at 144, so that on meet ing the sole S it Wlll turn or tend to turn the latter along the line to be slashed and exercise an influence upon the knife to prevent too deep penetration toward the surface resting on the work support 12.

While it: is not essential that the slash regulator shall be formed separate from the knife itself or project below the knife edge,

it has been found-desirableto-cause it to act upon the sole slightly in advance ,of the knife and be actuated. in this movement by the reciprocationsof the cross head.

Novem ing machine was shown, described and claimed" for producing slashes in an insole "In a rior patent granted to me and dated er 26, 1907, No. 871,969, a sole slasha straight cutting edge and side cutting edges was shown as one means of carrying the invention into effect. The present invention contemplates this same character-' istic operation upon the sole to be slashed by a knife generically of the same character but specifically differing therefrom, as shown by Fig. 10. In said Fig. 10,- the sole S is shown in'substantially the position it occupies as the knife 22 does its work. This sole is provided with a channel lip t, which should not be cut by the knife, and yet the knife should cut the entire area between the channel lips. As the knife sinks into the sole toward the toe, its narrowest part, the side edges of the knife might in some instances slightly out theinner edge of .the lip. In

the present form of knife, however, the side edges Z, Z, Fig. 10, are inturned, so that while the lower cutting edge sinks into the sole and the advance cutting portions of the side edges Z, Z make substantially longitudinal cuts, they do not act upon the edge of the channel lip, but allow the knife to get well under the lip without injury thereto. While this form of knife is desirable for some purposes, it'will be understood that other features of the invention may be employed quite regardless of the style of knife or its slash regulator, and that various changes may be made in the mechanism employed "means therefor to nation of a work rest tosupport the shoe sole to be slashed, a cutter, means to reciprocate the cutter tocause the cutter to slash the sole,'and aslash director movable with,

the cutter to bend the sole .about the Work rest that the cutter may act on the shoesole i in a direction oblique to the surface thereof.

8. In a sole slashing machine,-the combination of a work rest, a cutter carrier, a cutter carried thereby, means to move the cutter carrier to cause the cutter to slash the sole, and a slash director cooperating with the cutter. and moving in advance thereof to bend the shoe sole 'over the Work rest that the slash made by the cutter may be oblique to the surface of the shoe sole.

4. In a sole slashing machine, the combi- --nation of a work rest, slashing means,

means for reciprocating the slashing means to slash the sole, and a slash director to con tact with the sole in advance of the slashing means to bend the sole about the work rest where the cutter is to act and cause the slashes to be directed obliquely into the shoe sole.

- 5. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a cutter carrier, a cutter carried thereby, means to move the cutter carrier to cause the cutter to slash the sole, and means movable with the cutter to present the surface of the sole obliquely to the action of the cutter that the cutter may act upon the inclined surface of and-penetrate the sole in a direction oblique to the surface thereof.

G. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a cutter carrier, a cutter carried thereby, means to reciprocate the cutter to cause it to slash a sole, and means movable by the cutter operating means to contact with the sole in advance of the cutter to bend the surface of the solo at the point to be cut in a direction oblique to the action of the cutter that the cutter may enter the solo in a direction oblique to the surface thereof.

' 7. In a sole slashing machine, a support for a shoe sole, slashing means to act upon and slash the sole on said support, and means movable by the slashing means to curve the surface of the sole about the support that the slashing means may act on the curved surface of and penetrate the sole in a direction oblique to the surface thereof.

8. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of .a support for a shoe sole, a crosshead, means to relatively move the crosshe'ad and support toward and from each other, a knife carried by the cross-head, and a plate at one side of the knife and movable therewith to contact with the sole and curve or bend the same at the point to be cut that the knife may act in a direction oblique to the surface of the sole. 7

9. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a support for a shoe sole, a knife, means to move the knife to cause it to slash the sole, and a plate disposed at one side of the knife and projecting beyond the cuttin edge thereof to contact with the 'sole and bend the same about the support at the point to be slashed that the knife may enter the sole oblique to the surface thereof.

1 .10. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a support for a shoe sole about which the sole may be bent, a knife, means to move the knife to cause it to slash the sole,

and a plate disposed at one side of the knife and projecting beyond the cutting edge thereof to contact with the sole and bend the same about the support to present the sole surface at an angle oblique to the plane of knife movement, said plate having a curved lower portio 11. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a work support, slashing means for slashing a shoe sole on said support, and

I means governed by the work for positioning and locking the slashing means for its slashing movement.

' 12. In a sole slashing machine, the combi-- nation of a work support, slashing means for I slashing a shoe sole on said support, means for moving the slashing means transversely of the shoe sole on said supportfand means governed by the work for determining the transverse position of the slashing means and positively locking the same position for making a slash.

13. A sole slashing machine-of the char-.

acter described, comprising a support for a shoe sole, a cutter for cutting slashes in a sole on said support, means for reciprocating the cutter, means for relatively moving the cutter and sole transversely, and. work governed means for determining the extent of such relative transversemovement and positively locking it in position for making a cut. I p

.14. A sole slashing machine comprising,

"in combination, a cutter, a work support, actuating means for causlng the cutter to form separate slashes 1n the sole, means for relatively movingthe cutter and sole trans versely' to locate a slash, and work governed means for determining the extent of saidrelative movement and positively locking the cutter and sole in the determined transverse relation.

15. Ina sole slashing machine, the combination of awork support for sustaining .a shoe sole, a cutter, means for reciprocating the cutter toward and from'thesole on the work support, means for moving the cutter transversely of the sole into position for making a cut, and means governed by a dimension of the work for positively looking the cutter in its position for making" a cut. g

16. In a sole slashin machine, the comblnation of a, support or sustaining a shoe sole to be slashed, a cutter movable into a pluralityof transverse positions with relation to said sole, means for reciprocating themes; in any of its transverse positions,

a i al'idwo'rkfgoverned means for determining t'hetr ns'verse position of the cutter and for posit} yulocking it in such transverse position.'

l7. In a sole slashing machine, the com- .blIltLtlOIl ota work support for sustaining a shoe sole tobe slashed, a cutter, a crosshead for reciprocating the cutter toward and. from the sole on said support, yielding means for moving the cutter transversely of said cross-head, means to vary the transverse movements of the cutter v in accordancef with the sole being treated, and means for positively locking the cutter in a determined transverse position. :1

18."?[n a sole slashing machine, the com? bination of a work support, a cutter, means for reciprocating the cuttertoward and fromthe sole on the work support, a feeler slideblock, said cutter and feeler slideblock being movable transversely of the machine,

to hold the 'feelers from further movement.

20. In a sole slashing machine, thecombination of a work support for sustaining a shoe sole to be slashed, a cutter having a cutting edgeto form transverse cuts in said a sole and provided with inturned side cuttin portions to extend under the channel lip o a sole, and means for reciprocatin said.cut-.

ter in a direction oblique to the so e surface. 21. In a sole slashing machine, the combination ofa work support for sustaining a shoe soleto be slashed, a cutter having acutting edge to form transverse cuts in said soleand provided with intu'rned side cuttin portionsto, extend under thechannel lip o a' shoe sole,- means for reciprocating sald cutter, and means for changing the path of reciprocation of the cutter transversely of the work.

22.- In a sole slashing machine, the combinationof a mainframe, a work support for sustaining a shoe sole to be slashed, slashing means, a feedroller supporting frame carrying a feed roller, said feed roller' supporting frame being jointed tothe main frame to swing the feed roller into and out I of operative position, and means for holding-the frame in o erative sition.

23. In a sole slas ing mac ine, the combination of a work sup ort for sustaining a shoe sole to be slashe slashing means for slashing a sole on said support, a feed roller having a series of ratchet teeth,.an' actuator for moving the feed roller ste -by-step, and

yielding guiding means for t e end of the actuator to permit the'latter' to yield as it turns the feeding roll, the end of said ac.

tuator beingformed with a ortion to en'- gage the opposite walls of ad acent teeth to move the feed roller-and lock it from reverse rotation.

' Ina sole slashing machine, the com bination ofa {sup citing-frame,- slashing. means sustained t ereby, work isustaifnn "means over which the work passes, wor

l mr i a r ll r fee Pr thegu k pm:

the said sustaining means during the operation of the machine, and automatic means acting to relieve the work of the pressure of the work clamping means when the machine stops.

'25. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a supporting, frame, slashing means for the work, a feed roller and opposed pressing roller disposed in front of the slashing means, means normally acting to press one of said rollers toward the other, and a frame jointed to the'niain frame and carrying said rollers.

26. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a main frame, a cutter and its operating means, a feed roller frame jointed the cutter,

to the main frame and disposed in front of a feed roller carried by said frame, a Work clamping frame carrying a work clamp and jointed to the feed roller frame, and means normally acting to maintain the feed roller and clamp in work 27. -In a sole slashing machine, the combinatlon'of a frame, a cutter and itsactuatlng means for producing slashes 'in' a shoe sole, a work support for supporting the 'sole' as it is beings ashed, a work feeding roller, a clamping roller opposed to the feed mg roller, automatically acting means for normally clamping the sole between the feed roller and clamping-roller, and means acting automatically ating means for producing a series of cuts or slashes ma shoe sole, clamping means fora member, and

the cutter, a slide having as the machine stops to separate the feeding and clamping rollersl 28. In a sole slashing machine, the com-- bination of a frame, a cutter and its actuholding the work during the action of the cutter,

a slide having a clamp releasing means for. actuating the slide to free the work from the clamping means as the machine stops.

29. In a sole slashing machine, the combinationof a frame, a cutter and its actuatin means for producing a series of cuts or s ashes-in a shoe sole, clamping means for holding the work during the actionof a clamp releasing member, a catch-carried by the slide, and a controller for holding the catch in inoperative position during the actionof the cutter and to permit the catch to move to operative positionand move the slide as the machine is stopped.

30.- In a sole slashing machine, the combination ofa frame, a cutter and its operating'means 'for'producing a series of cuts or ro,,'and means to predetermined number of cuts or slashes lave been made.

31. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of aframe, a cutter and its operating means for producing a series of cuts or slashes in a shoe sole, a controlling lever for determining the operative or inoperative condition of the machine, means for locking the controlling lever in position for machine operation, a stop rod, and adjustable slash counter mechanism to determine the numb r of slashes-or cuts to be made in av shoe sole operative to move the stop rod and free the controlling lever when the desired number of slashes or cuts. have been made.

32. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a frame, a worksupport for sustaining a shoe sole, a cutter and its actuating means forproducing slashes or cuts in a shoe sole on said support, a fixed stop tomeet the end of and position the shoe sole longitudinally for the action of the cutter, and means to feed the sole through the machine,

33. Ina sole slashing machine, the combination of a frame, a Work support for sustaininga shoe 'sole, a cutter and its actuating means for producing slashes or cuts in a shoe sole on said support, a fixed stop to meet the end of and position the shoe sole for the action of the cutter and then deflect the sole as it is fed, work deflecting or bending means to actv upon the sole beyond the cutting "point, and means to feed the sole through the machine.

34. In a-sole slashing machine, the comblnation of-a work support for sustaining a sole to be slashed, a cutter, means to reciprocate the cutter in different transverse'paths relative to the sole on said support, said cutter having inturned edge cutting portions to extend under the channel lip, and means movable with the cutt'er' to deflect the sole over said support at the permit the cutter to enter the sole in a direction oblique to the sole surface.

35. In a sole. slashing machine, the combination of a work support, slashing means for slashing a .shoe sol feelers adapted'to engage the sole and determine the relative transverse position of the slashing means and sole for making a slash, and means for locking the parts in such relative position. during the operation of the slashing means. v

36. In a sole slashin machine, the combination of asup'port for the Work, a feed roller and a presser roller between which the work passes, means actin normally to force the presser roller and eed roller toward each other, a bender forbending the sole over the support,a controlling lever, connections between the controlling lever and bender for releasing the sole from the bender when the machine stops, and means cutting point to e on said support,

governed by thecontrolling lever for releasmg the sole from the feeding and resser rollers.

375 r In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a support for the sole, transversely movable sole slashing means for slashing "block, feelers carried the surface of the sole at difierent' arts of its width, a' transversely sliding eeler by the feeler block to engage the shoe sole, a lever connecting the sliding and meansto move the feeler block to slide and then move the slashing means trans versely to position the same for'making a slash.

38. In a sole slashing machine, the combimovable sole slashing means nation of a support for the sole, transversely for slashing a sole atdiflerent parts of itsiwidth, a trans-. i

versely sliding feeler by saidblock to engage the shoe sole, a lever block, feelers carried connecting the feeler means,' feeler block and slashing means to move' relatively in a transverse direction, andl means to lock the. parts in assumed transl verse relation during the slashing operation.-

39. In a sole slashing machine, the combination of a sup ort for-the sole, transversely block and slashingl movable sole s ashing means for slashing a soleat different i'ection, and 'meansto means to move the lever to cause the arts of .itswidth, a transversely sliding eeler block, feelers carried by said block to engage the shoe sole, a lever connecting the feeler-block and slashing means, means actin yieldingly to move the lever to cause-the eeler block and slashing means to move relatively in a transverse (11-.

lockthe parts in assumed transverse relation during the slashl0. In a sole slashing machine, the combi nationof a support for a shoe sole, slashing means for slashing the surface of a shoe sole on said support, a controlling lever, a feed I roller and presser roller between which the sole is fed to thesupport, a treadle for moving the c'ontroll' g Y lever for starting the machine; means acting on said lever to trip the same when a determined number of slashes have-been made, and means gov-' erned by the controlling lever for separating the feeding and pressing rollers to free the sole after the controllmg lever has been tripped. v

In testimony whereof, .I-have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM'C. STEWART.

Witnesses:

'- Rnormnn" H. ALLEN,

'WrrLr'A'ir J. BRENNAN. 

